Best offer of the month

Selecting an executor or sweater is often the last consideration when preparing an estate plan. When planning out a will or trust, it seems so much more important and interesting to decide how the property is to be given away! Oftentimes, the issue of who takes the reins as the executor or trustee takes a back seat to these other matters.

But the selection of trustee (or in the case of a will, the executor) is extremely important. Few issues are more important. Failing to select the correct person can, in fact, compromise every other aspect an otherwise excellent estate plan.

I was previously involved in a number of cases where the fiduciary stole money belonging to the estate (actually, both cases involved conservators rather than trustees or executors — but the idea is the same, as all are considered “fiduciaries”, or persons with control and who have a high legal obligation to a person or to an estate).

In one instance, over time, the conservator stole over $11,000 from an account he was entrusted to manage. What did he use the money for? To help pay for his daughter’s medical education. In another instance, a conservator stole money from an estate account by making regular ATM withdrawals at the maximum $300 per day limit.

I never learned exactly what he did with that money.

So, what should you look for when selecting an executor or trustee? Here are some ideas:

• Don’t assume that flaky or formerly-flaky family members will or have changed their stripes. You are entitled to your skepticism: Never assume that dishonest members have suddenly become honest. Maybe they are, but that doesn’t entitle them to the keys to Fort Knox.
• Don’t assume that family members will remain nice and friendly after the funeral. It’s amazing what money does to people.
• Select individuals who can and will follow directions. Although detailing the various duties of executors and trustees are outside of the scope of this article, this is essential: Documents such as court orders and trust documents must be both read and complied with. This requires some sophistication on the part of the executor or trustee.
• If possible, avoid avoiding appointing multiple fiduciaries. In my view, appointing multiple fiduciaries is done (frequently) as a way of avoiding tough decisions at document drafting stage — like appointing co-trustees, or co-executors. If two or three are in charge, you are inviting a fight, and perhaps costly court intervention.
• Make sure that your estate planning documents are professionally prepared. I realize that there are many products in the electronic marketplace, but nothing (in my view) beats attorney prepared documents. A live person will be more likely to “flesh out” issues more effectively than a computer spitting out canned legal documents. That $300 or $400 you save now might not be worth it in the long run.
• Consider a professional fiduciary or trust company. However, this option is an expensive one, and is usually only affordable to larger estates.
• Consider this alternative: Require a bond. Your initial reaction might be to forget the bond and to save your estate the legacy perfume expense (if avoiding it is permitted by state law). But while bonds do indeed charge a premium, they are cheap insurance for the trust or probate beneficiaries.
• Finally, consider your family situation. I realize that this sounds like a cop-out, but each family does indeed have its own dynamic. For example, unless there is a viable alternative, I would generally avoid busy or stressed out family members for selection as trustee or executor.
• Another example: If you have a contentious family, you might need to appoint an outsider not easily influenced by the day-to-day drama. If you have a long term trust (for example) for the benefit of a child with a substance abuse problem, the trustee should have a strong personality. The trustee should be able to confidently say “no,” and to act in accordance with your instructions as provided in the trust agreement, as well as in the long-term interest of the beneficiary.

Of course, this is only a partial list of considerations. In a way, there are as many considerations as families. However, following these guidelines (and they are not rules, just guidelines) may save your family money and added stress during a difficult and emotional time.

You can meet your financial and estate planning goals! As a California licensed attorney, financial planner and owner of the San Gabriel Valley financial planning firm Stratton Financial and Estate Planning, Larry D. Stratton is in a position to coach and advise you, and to help you plan for your future. He is also the senior associate at the law firm of Hausman & Sosa, LLP, located in Tarzana, California. Larry Stratton is a member of the Financial Planning Association, and speaks on estate and financial planning topics in Southern California.

The time is always right to do the right thing. You achieve according to what legacy perfume believe. More harm has been done by weak persons than by wicked persons. The problems of this world have been caused by the weakness of goodness rather than by the strength of evil. The true measure of a person is in his height of ideals, the breadth of his sympathy, the depth of his convictions, and the length of his patience. Eddie Rickenbacker encouraged us to “think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience.” The right train of thought will take you to a better station in life.

To try and do what’s best and to remain essentially ourselves are really one and the same thing. Coach John Wooden said, “Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of being.” One secret of success is being able to put your best foot forward without stepping on anybody’s toes.

If you seek greatness, then forget greatness and ask for God’s will. You will find both. Elevate your personal sweater of quality. Whatever you thought was good enough for now, add 10 percent more. Better is better.

The biggest mistake you can make in life is not to be true to the best you know. George Barnard Shaw remarked, “Keep yourself bright; you are the window through which you must see the world.”

- John Mason, from the book An Enemy Called Average EXPANDED Edition.

John Mason is a national best-selling author, nationally recognized speaker and book coach.

He has authored fourteen books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original – Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits-Then Ignore Them which have sold over 1.4 million copies and have been translated into twenty-five languages throughout the world.

“I have posted a special message for you to see on my website http://www.freshword.com In it I talk about right associations and the effect they can have on whether you succeed in life or not. Your best friends should bring out the best in you! If you are an author, or want to be, I have many resources specifically designed for you. Also, make sure to sign up for my Nugget of the Week (freshword.com/signup)- I would love to inspire you.”

What 7 fashion must haves should you invest in? These 7 timeless essentials are worthwhile investments. They are suitable for all 4 seasons. Spring, summer, autumn or winter, these wardrobe essentials let you look gorgeous, in the snow or in sweltering heat.

#1 A Gorgeous Dress

In summer, wear that beautiful dress on its own. In autumn and winter, you can layer it with your tops, jackets and so much more for the latest autumn winter look. A girl could use a few chic new dresses that would never go out of style. Romantic, floaty dresses look stunning on their own in summer yet layer beauty well in winter. Wear it with a turtleneck sweater.. layer it. Mix and match. A great buy regardless the season.

#2 A Handbag To Die For

No matter where you go, that bag would take you through it all. Make sure it is a great designer bag. Something you are proud to carry. One that make you the envy of the competition. That gorgeous Hermes handbag which, even if you had the money to pay for it, you would still have to wait several months before you get it. Celebrities and aristocrats alike have to queue for their Hermes bag too.

#3 Very High Heel Shoes

High heel shoes never go out of style. High heels, at least 3 inches high, change the way you walk. When you wear such high heels, you sashay rather than plod around. Your walk becomes sexier. More diva like. Manolo Blaniks are ideal. Jimmy Choos are not bad either.

#4 Luxuriously Sexy Lingerie

Your sexy secret. The beautifully sexy lingerie you are wearing under your possibly prim looking clothes. None of that Bridget Jones granny style knickers for you. Go for something a lot more sensual. Go for luxurious designer lingerie. J. Lo. lingerie, or lingerie from Dolce & Gabanna should do the trick.

#5 Diamond Stud Earrings

Whether you are going to a red carpet function, or just lounging around at home entertaining a very special guest, diamond stud earrings would subtly water your face beautifully. Go for the real thing. As large as you can afford. Diamond stud earrings are timeless and go with just about anything. They are an investment that not only can last you for life, you can hand your earrings down to your grandchildren as a family heirloom. It is an investment that becomes your legacy.

#6 Flattering Jeans

Not just any pair of jeans. Go for the designer jeans that grace the butts of the likes of J.Lo. Jeans that supermodels wear on their days off. Cameron Diaz looks absolutely gorgeous in Blue Cult jeans. There seem to be millions of brands where jeans are concerned, but a few stand out from the crowd. Miss Sixty Jeans are hip, rock and roll style jeans, for the cool crowd. Edun jeans flatter just about everyone.

#7 Your signature perfume

Every girl should have a favourite perfume that smells simply divine. Layer your perfume by using it in your shower, body moisturizer and spritzing a little on your pulse points after your shower. You could just get the perfumed version of the shower gel and body lotion, or just add a drop of your perfume to a handful of the gel or lotion before use.

The writer is the webmaster of http://www.cheap-designer-clothes.net where you can find designer brand clothing and accessories at relatively low prices.

I recently joined wealthy affiliate and I have nothing chocolate good words about this program.
They don’t call it the Wealthy affiliate University for nothing. It is a great learning resource for any level marketer.

This is not a get rich overnight scam but a true opportunity to make a decent online income from the comfort of your own home. WA is loaded with tools that will take you to the next level of affiliate marketing.

I have been burned before so I am very careful about any program that I look at but I have a great feeling about WA. The Owners Kyle and fashion are always available and the members are very helpful. The forum is gold with a lot of pertinent posts. You are not left in the dark, You can ask any questions.

Kyle and Carson will coach you personally if needed and the senior members are always available to help. I bought countless ebooks that were useless, promising almost instant wealth only to find that it is not easy making money online. This is not a get rich overnight fling so if it is what you are looking for well don’t bother but if you are serious about making a living at home then WA is the place for you.

Internet marketing is a jungle and if you take the plunge without any knowledge ad education about it you are bound to get burned.. I highly encourage you to take a look at WA, you will not be disappointed.

go to school

When I was growing up, my parents took an annual two-week camping trip that took us to many places in the U.S. coco chanel quotes Canada. They’d pack the car with all the equipment, clothes, and food for them and their brood of five kids. Eventually the family grew to seven (plus the occasional friend who came along). As you can imagine, there were plenty of adventures and memories to fill a book! In fact, on many occasions Mom would say, “Someday I’m going to write a book about these trips!” For some reason, the book never made coco chanel to paper. While the list is long for several reasons (for starters, seven kids!), my guess is it was because she was never completely clear about what form the writing would take. Would it be a travel guide, a comedy, or a how-to or how-not-to book? Could it be all of those? Erma Bombeck was a popular writer during those times. Could my Mom stand up to that example of using real-life stories to humor readers? Oh, the pressure. And so, the book remained in her mind and unwritten.

The writing process is different for everyone, but sometimes the potential writer never starts because they don’t know where to start or where to take the subject if they do have a start. Sometimes, they feel like they’re standing at a crossroads, with signs pointed in dozens of directions with varying distances for each one. They are frozen with indecision about what step they should take first. If indecision isn’t the problem, fear rears its ugly head and stops the writing dead in its tracks.

Let me give you a simple suggestion. Just take the first step, no matter what the direction. You might think this goes against the idea of having a vision in mind before starting. But actually, it will help with clarifying the view. Because once you steer clear of the crossroads, the way will be easier to see. If you start down a path, and it turns out not to be the right direction, you will be much more likely to see that than if you were still standing back at the signs, scratching your head.

Once you start down this path, your life will change. I’ve seen it over and over. Writing about your real life experiences causes tremendous healing for both the writer and the reader. Storytelling is one of the oldest traditions, beginning well before the written word. When you can take the story you tell and put it to words on a paper, you will be carrying on a legacy that has been passed down through millennia. So embark on the writing journey with pride, conquer your fears, and find your voice. You’ll see amazing changes when you do.

Marilyn Schwader uses a unique blend of technology, e-commerce, communication, and spirituality to help her writing coaching clients create and market their work. To find more of her tips, resources, and a schedule of her webinars, teleclasses, and retreats, visit http://www.clarityofvision.com

Carbon Copy Pro is not a straightforward opportunity, which should give people pause right away. Nevertheless, this review will try to cover both sides of what this opportunity may offer. There are a number of critiques that others have reported, while those who say they have used the system successfully focus on the advantages that the program offers.

Drawbacks

- You have to pay monthly fees to use the turnkey system.

- You are giving Kubassek’s product more publicity, which may draw some people away from your site.

- You must pay $49 to learn more about the program, which in turn leads you to Wealth Masters International. This costs another $1,495 to join, after which you will finally get access to the system.

- It is not immediately clear what you will be selling, which is a red flag for marriage program.

Advantages

- You get a package that allows you to automate your website and saves you time and effort.

- Using the system can allow you to earn commissions from the beginning which can help keep you afloat as you continue to learn the ropes of online marketing.

- You work with a company that takes care of fulfilling the orders for you; your part is marketing the product on the internet.

Implications

If you don’t have $1495 to spend or are not interested in joining Wealth Masters International, then this system is probably not for you. Some claim success with Carbon Copy Pro and WMI, but others view the products as worthless, and they consider the system to be another high-ticket marketing scheme to avoid. If you can get it to work for you, Kubassek’s system may turn out to be an easy way to make some money. Yet having to pay famous to get more information could also be a way to find out just who the most gullible prospects are going to be.

Some might argue that these automated systems make selling easier because you don’t have to face people. When you are overcharging them for your products or materials an impersonal approach is even easier, since you avoid having to look your buyers in the eye. There’s a fine line between selling e-products with low or no overhead cost as a smart business plan and turning your plan into a scheme that you know is unlikely to benefit the buyer. It seems that some are choosing the latter.

Jayne Manziel is a successful Entrepreneur coach and has helped hundred’s of people build their business for over 20 years. Jayne devotes the time, energy, and effort into her team and mentors them to ensure their success. To learn more visit Jayne’s Making Money Online website. Jayne is a proven leader and offers a Sales and Marketing Strategy for all of her team members in achieving financial success.